Consultation That Counts: Engaging Workers, Unions and Diverse Voices in Psychosocial Safety

Rick is a proud First Nations man, dedicated safety professional and capability coach who focuses on partnering with motivated organisations to achieve exceptional health and safety outcomes. He believes empowering people with the right skills and knowledge is key to exceptional performance and is thrilled by the shift when safety becomes ingrained in work life.
He excels in developing accessible safety systems and solutions through innovative approaches, making him a trusted advisor and leader. Rick’s personable nature and extensive background in health and safety advice, systems, training and facilitation drive positive health, safety and cultural improvements in diverse industries.

Liam was re-elected as Assistant Secretary at the ACTU Congress in June 2024.

Before joining the ACTU Liam was the Victorian Assistant Secretary and National Vice-President of the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU). It was there where he fought for the rights of workers across the diverse range of industries that the AWU represents. As a national official he led the AWU’s work in the aluminium, aviation, glass and construction sectors.

As ACTU Assistant Secretary Liam is responsible for leading the movements policy, industrial and campaigning work on work health and safety and workers’ compensation matters. Liam is passionate about the rights of all workers to have safe, healthy and decent work, and is a member of Safe Work Australia (SWA)

Catherine is a partner at Maddocks Lawyers, practicing in all aspects of safety law. She works with clients on addressing psychosocial hazards at a systems level, as well as assisting with training, workplace investigations and regulator action. Catherine also acts in defending prosecutions, advising after serious incidents and fatalities and in inquests and Royal Commissions arising out of workplace, public and child safety. She is a Senior Fellow at the University of Melbourne teaching safety law.